31st October 2025
Romiley MP Lisa Smart recently spoke in Parliament to call for fairer treatment of adoptive parents, urging the Government to ensure self-employed families receive the same rights as those in regular paid employment. Her remarks came during a debate on Adoption Pay and the ongoing Parental Leave Review, which aims to modernise how families are supported during the critical early months of adoption and parenthood.
“This is a matter of equality and compassion,” Ms Smart said. “Self-employed adoptive parents contribute just as much to society as anyone else, yet the system too often leaves them without the financial or emotional backing they need.”
However, Ms Smart’s intervention has also reignited local discussion about how adoptive families have been treated historically — including cases from when she worked in the office of former Hazel Grove MP Sir Andrew Stunell.
One such case involved Mr Parnell, a constituent who, at the time, was seeking counselling and support for his adopted daughters, who were struggling emotionally after placement. Mr Parnell has long claimed that his pleas for assistance were ignored or mishandled, leaving his family without the help they needed. He has described years of distress, bureaucracy, and what he views as institutional neglect.
While there is no suggestion that Ms Smart personally oversaw the case, campaigners say it highlights a broader pattern of system failings that have persisted for years. They argue that adoptive parents — especially those dealing with trauma or complex needs — have often faced indifference from authorities, both locally and nationally.
“This isn’t about politics; it’s about accountability,” one local adoption advocate told the Gazette. “When adoptive families ask for help, they shouldn’t be left to fight for years. The system must change.”
As Parliament continues to review parental and adoption support frameworks, many in the community are calling for more transparency, better access to post-adoption counselling, and stronger safeguards for families in crisis.
For residents in Romiley and beyond, the question remains: will this renewed attention finally lead to meaningful reform — and recognition for those, like Mr Parnell RIP, dead at 58, who have spent years asking to be heard?
